Romantic realism
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Romantic realism is an aesthetic term that usually refers to art combines elements of both romanticism and realism. Although the terms "romanticism" and "realism" have been used in varied ways,[1] they are typically seen as opposed to one another. Romantic realists combine elements from each tradition.
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[edit] Romantic realism in literature
The term has long standing in literary criticism. For example, Joseph Conrad's relationship to romantic Realism is analyzed in Ruth M. Stauffer's 1922 book Joseph Conrad: His Romantic Realism. Liam O'Flaherty's relationship to romantic realism is discussed in P.F. Sheeran's book The Novels of Liam O'Flaherty: A Study in Romantic Realism. Fyodor Dostoyevsky is described as a romantic realist in Donald Fanger's book, Dostoevsky and Romantic Realism: A Study of Dostoevsky in Relation to Balzac, Dickens, and Gogol.
More recently, the writer/philosopher Ayn Rand described herself as a romantic realist, and many followers of her Objectivist philosophy who consider themselves artists apply this term to themselves. Rand defined romantic realism as a portrayal of things and people "as they might and ought to be." "Might be" implied realism, as contrasted with mere fantasy. "Ought to be" implied a moral vision and a standard of beauty and virtue. This combination is based on the idea that heroic values, and similar themes, are rational and realistic, as a romantic realist wouldn't believe in a necessary dichotomy between 'romanticism' and 'realism.'
According to Theodor W. Adorno, the term "romantic realism" was used by Joseph Goebbels to define the official doctrine of the art produced in Nazi Germany, although this usage did not achieve wide currency.[2] Nazi art is also sometimes classified as heroic realism. However, Ayn Rand's romantic realism differs from heroic realism in the sense that its chief aim is not to educate in the sense of propaganda, but to project the artist's meta-physical values.
As far as both their personal interests as well as objective comparisons go, a majority of romantic realist artists are more similar to romanticism than realism in what they produce. Romantic realism is often considered, more or less, a branch of romanticism.
Artists of Romantic Realism include:
- Aleksandr Petrov (animator)
- Michael Newberry
- Ayn Rand (novelist)
- Nick Gaetano (who created the cover art for the 35th anniversary editions of Ayn Rand's books)
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Stauffer, Ruth M. (2006) [1922]. Joseph Conrad: His Romantic-Realism. Kessinger Publishing. p. 13. ISBN 1-4286-5840-8. "It would be wearisome even to enumerate the books and essays that have been written in all languages to define these two terms."
- ^ Dahlhaus, Carl (1985). Realism in Nineteenth-century Music. trans. by Mary Whittall. New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 58. ISBN 0-521-26115-5. "The vague universality of the term 'romantic realism', which helped it to become a catchphrase, led eventually to political misuse as well. ... T.W. Adorno, paradoxically enough, cited Joseph Goebbels, who had spoken of 'romantic realism', evidently in order to signify his approval ..."
[edit] References
- Dahlhaus, Carl (1985). Realism in Nineteenth-century Music. trans. by Mary Whittall. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-26115-5.
- Fanger, Donald (1998) [1965]. Dostoevsky and Romantic Realism: A Study of Dostoevsky in Relation to Balzac, Dickens, and Gogol. Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University Press. ISBN 0-8101-1593-X.
- Rand, Ayn (1971). The Romantic Manifesto: A Philosophy Of Literature (revised ed.). New York: Signet. ISBN 0-451-14916-5.
- Sheeran, P.F. (1976). The Novels of Liam O'Flaherty: A Study in Romantic Realism. Dublin: Wolfhound Press. ISBN 0-9503454-6-6.
- Stauffer, Ruth M. (2006) [1922]. Joseph Conrad: His Romantic-Realism. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 1-4286-5840-8.
